On Wednesday, Russia’s communications regulator confirmed it had begun restricting calls made on WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, and on Telegram, citing the companies’ refusal to share user data with law enforcement in cases involving fraud and terrorism. Text messaging and voice notes on the platforms remain unaffected.
The dispute is part of a broader clash between Moscow and foreign tech providers that intensified after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the Kremlin has blocked Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, slowed down YouTube, and fined platforms repeatedly for failing to comply with local rules on content moderation and data storage.
“WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million Russian people,” the company said late Wednesday, pledging to keep encrypted services available.
Telegram, Russia’s second-largest messaging app, said it continues to combat misuse by removing millions of malicious posts daily with the help of AI moderation tools. According to Mediascope data, WhatsApp reached 97.3 million users in Russia in July 2025, ahead of Telegram at 90.8 million, while state-controlled VK Messenger trailed with 17.9 million users.
Reports of poor WhatsApp connectivity surfaced almost immediately, with monitoring services such as Downdetector and Sboy tracking spikes in user complaints. In Krasnodar, local media reported disruptions to mobile networks, frustrating residents who rely on digital tools for navigation. A public Telegram group for taxi drivers in the region filled with complaints, with one user lamenting, “What should I do, there’s no map,” while others advised downloading offline maps.
The restrictions come as Moscow accelerates the rollout of MAX, a new state-controlled messaging platform that will be linked to government services. Lawmakers and regulators are urging citizens to migrate, though digital rights advocates warn the app could be used for surveillance.
“Ultimately, they want to control users and the information they receive,” said Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Internet Protection Society. He noted, however, that MAX may not yet be technically capable of handling tens of millions of users, making a gradual rollout more likely.
Russia has previously used a strategy of “steady degradation” against foreign platforms, slowing down services such as YouTube to frustrate users without issuing outright bans. Human Rights Watch warned in July that Russia is systematically expanding its legal and technological framework to isolate its segment of the internet and enforce strict censorship.
Under a new law passed this year, Russians risk fines for searching online for content deemed “extremist,” even when using virtual private networks (VPNs) that millions depend on to bypass restrictions.
For now, WhatsApp’s messaging services remain intact in Russia, but the latest restrictions point to an uncertain future for digital freedom in the country.